Born Free Foundation - Keep Wildlife in the Wild

Living things can be organised into different groups.  Species that are alike are grouped together.  This is called classification.

Class:                    Mammals

Order:                   Primates

Family:                  Hominidae (great apes)

Species:                Pan troglodytes (chimpanzee)

There are over 180 species of primates, from the tiny 100g mouse lemur, to the 200kg gorilla.  There are 6 species of great ape: 2 orangutans, 2 gorillas, the chimpanzee and the bonobo or pigmy chimp.  Apes are bigger than monkeys, but do not have tails.

Great apes are special

The intelligent chimpanzee lives in complex communities.  Great apes share many behaviours with humans, and can adapt to a wide range of habitats. 

Distribution

Chimps are found in 21 countries of central and western Africa.  Distributions have reduced and populations declined as apes and their habitats have been over-exploited and destroyed. 

Habitat

Chimps live in tropical and deciduous forests and savannah grasslands.  The main priority for location is a good food supply. 

Diet

Chimps eat mainly vegetarian food … plants, seeds, fruits, young leaves, buds, nuts, shoots and bark; but also termites, ants, insect larva, honey and even fish.  Chimps forage in groups and hunt co-operatively for monkeys and young antelope.

Adaptations

Great apes are perceptive, inventive and able to assess and learn from situations.  Males are larger and stronger than females, with bigger canine teeth.  Great apes have excellent vision to judge distances and spot food; large ears to hear each others’ calls; strong yet nimble hands and feet with opposable thumbs to grasp objects; plus long, strong arms to aid climbing.

Behaviour

Intelligent apes can solve complex problems, pass information from one generation to the next, and make and use tools.  Chimps crack open nuts with stone ‘hammers’; insert sticks into mounds to ‘fish’ for termites; use leaves to mop up drinking water from a tree-hole; and twigs to pick food from teeth. 

Society

Chimps can live in communities of over 100 individuals led by a dominant male.  Chimp hierarchy constantly changes and rank depends on personality as much as strength.  Chimps spend hours grooming friends and family, reinforcing social bonds.

Reproduction

Chimps mature around 10-13 years and female gestation is 8 months.  Newborn apes rely on their mothers’ milk and depend on her care for five years.  Young chimps spend a lot of time playing together and learning how to be a part of chimp society.

For kids factsheets on chimpanzees and other animals, please click here